The Pioneers (11-4-1 overall; 7-3-1 Northwestern 3A/4A Conference), who began the week in a first-place tie with St. Stephens in the NW3A/4A Conference standings, now find themselves two games off the pace with a game left in the regular season. The Indians nailed down the regular-season title by blanking WHS 3-0 Thursday night down in St. Stephens.The Indians broke the game open with a pair of goals in the final 12 minutes of the second half. "It was just a tough week," said WHS coach Brittany Bolick. "Hopefully, having the week off will give us a chance to regroup."WHS did win the JV game. The Pioneers defeated St. Stephens 5-1, thanks to Marcie Mahoney, who tallied three times. Hali Wood-Miller had three assists. Carrigan Dale and Kat Welch had the other WHS goals.

WHS SOFTBALL:

The Watauga High softball team was victimized by an excellent pitching performance on Thursday afternoon.Katie Baker of St. Stephens scattered five hits and struck out nine as the Indians bested WHS 8-1 at the Sports Complex. The win will also cost WHS its first winning conference season record since 1996. Kim Robinson drove in Watauga's (6-9 overall; 5-6 in the Northwestern 3A/4A Conference) only run in the fourth inning. Taylor Drummonds had two hits.And we have a correction to pass along. And a big thanks as well to Jerry Moretz, Mike Steele, Brian Vannoy and Tori Greene for this valuable information. Thanks to those folks, we have discovered that the Pioneers have produced one winning conference record in fast-pitch softball. And they did it during the first season of competition, in the spring of 1996.Ironically, Moretz was the head coach. He replaced Margaret Dreibelbis, who resigned the year before. The Pioneers were 14-10 overall and 7-5 in the old Northwestern 4A Conference. Their only losses that year in league play came against Alexander Central and Crest (twice each), and Freedom."Our pitching wasn't very good that year, but we sure outscored a lot of people," Moretz said. "We won some crazy games that season."The Pioneers under former coach Brian Vannoy were 6-6 in conference play in 2005; they were 14-13 in 2006 (which is only the second winnning record in program history in fast-pitch). That team also made it to the second-round of the state playoffs that season.The WHS softball team will host East Wilkes in a double-header Saturday at the Sports Complex beginning at 1 pm.

WHS LACROSSE:

The Watauga High women's lacrosse team closed out the regular season on a winning note.The Pioneers (6-7) defeated West Forsyth 19-9 Thursday night in Clemmons. Olivia Li continued her hot scoring pace as she tallied six goals in the win. Danielle Welch scored three times and Katie Huffman had a goal.

WHS TENNIS:

The Pioneers had their match with Lake Norman down in Hickory postponed on Thursday. The match will not be rescheduled. WHS (15-4 overall and Northwestern 3A/4A Conference champions) won't play again until May 3 in the opening round of the state dual team playoffs. According to head coach Scott Taylor, it looks like (at least right now) that the Pioneers will play Davie County at the Sports Complex in the opening round.

WHS TRACK:

The WHS track teams will host a meet Saturday at Jack Groce Stadium. There will be 20 teams in the field, which according to head coach Randy McDonough will be very competitive."Our girls will be really tested tomorrow," he said. "Five of the top eight runners in the state in the mile and the 800 will be here competing. It should be an interesting day."The WHS men and women simply dominated the competition Tuesday by claiming the Northwestern 3A/4A championships at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory.The Class 4A West Regional will be May 7.